Reaghan busied herself with cleaning up the battlefield since it was her fault Miraz had been there in the first place. The wasps were more machine than organic. In addition to the weapons, each was outfitted with a pair of cybernetic eyes and limbs. A couple only had their original exoskeleton remaining. The wings reminded her of Twi’s until they merged with the biological portion.
Before they were properly disposed of, Reaghan pulled some of the tech off for both the druids and Twi to take a look at. The wasps that were left alive were dispatched in a timely fashion. She knew some had hoped they could be tamed, but it wasn’t worth the risk. Whoever this Vishnira was, she could obviously control them over a great distance.
Reaghan wiped her brow and watched the flames consume the corpses. The fire was burning much hotter than normal to warp and corrupt the cybernetics. Luckily, they weren’t built to be terribly durable.
“I’d say I’m tougher than these things are,” Twi commented. “Sure, they take a bit to bring down, but these flames are eating through them like they’re nothing.” To further demonstrate her point, Twi angled herself so that her tail was in the flames.
“Quit doing that; you’re making me nervous,” Reaghan said. “You might be able to survive most anything, but let’s not put your upgrades to the test.”
“What are you made of that you can do that anyway?” It was Jirao.
Reaghan leaned against the branch she was using to prod the wasps into the flames. “A combination of alloys. We wanted to make sure her body could survive ship mishaps or anything in the field. Plus, everything’s been reinforced.”
“Why a dragonfly?”
Reaghan turned bright red. “It was handy. You’d be amazed at what industrial stuff throws out. Why the interrogation?”
“Sorry, I’ve been trying to get some information out of our guests and it’s hard to get my brain out of that state of mind.”
“How’s that going?”
He sighed. “They keep saying we’re making a mistake and that you’re an enemy.”
“Which we know isn’t true,” Tria said as all three Eldars joined them. “You’ve had plenty of chances to act on it by now. You’re easily one of the most powerful druids on the planet. Perhaps the most powerful if those Eiha waves were any indication.”
Reaghan swallowed, mentally bracing herself for being thrown out. Twi landed on her shoulder, feet digging in.
“Relax,” the tallest of the men assured her. “We’re not going to follow their demands to throw you to the wolves. Have things been that bad for you in that regard?”
“Unfortunately, attitudes like Miraz’s aren’t rare,” she said, thinking back to the few times, early on, when she ran her mouth too much and ended up fleeing because of people’s plans for her. “They see someone like me traveling on their own and try to sell me to the highest payer.”
“Payer?” Jirao asked, then at her look let out a hearty laugh. “I promise, last one.”
She gave him a pointed look. “Why don’t I believe you?”
The Eldars joined in their laughter, and for a moment, Reaghan was tempted to ask them about Vishnira.
“Don’t,” Twi said quietly over the Aeon’s private link. Reaghan had to fight to keep her shock from showing. While using the implant she’d received was second nature by now, they hadn’t put it to use for a private conversation. “They might give us the information, but I’d wager they’d sooner leave it all in the past.”
Reaghan said nothing, though she knew Twi was right.
“Power is valuable,” the last Eldar was saying. “That’s why, when the way to make Eiha-less into Eiha-wielders came to market, it was all the rage. Those new wielders were grabbed up as soon as they could be drafted. My brother sat on the Rigor IV planetary council and told me about some of the incentives they had for recruits.”
“What are you going to do about your unintended guests?” Twi asked.
“The colony ship’s returning with those who don’t want to stay. We’ll secure them for transport and give them to the nearest galactic authority. We’ll tell them they’re going around playing at being bounty hunters for innocent people. We might need to mention your name.” Tria looked apologetic.
“Don’t worry about it. If the reports managed to make the journey, then they already have it from the first time we turned them over,” Reaghan said with a shrug.
“The first time around,” Twi muttered. “I’ve got it!” she bellowed.
Reaghan jumped. “Got what?”
“You can’t take them on the colony ship unless you want it to be at risk of being attacked by those machine-beasts,” Twi said, her words coming out so fast they blended into each other.
“Why not?” the tall Eldar asked.
“Because the police transport they were put on was destroyed by one of the beasts. It was a lot larger than the one that attacked the day we arrived. I just didn’t draw any connection until now.” Twi’s wings drooped.
“We’ll have to house them here for the time being then,” Tria declared. “Those who’re leaving want nothing to do with these attacks. It might not keep them safe, but it’ll stop them from being a target.”
“Meanwhile, we’re a target,” the last Eldar said rather grumpily.
“We already were, Eldar Bigal,” Jirao pointed out. “Vishnira won’t let us be.”
“Unless we can get to them first,” Reaghan mused.
“We’re needed here. And we don’t have the police force to go searching for her,” Tria said.
“You don’t have to go; we can,” Twi said.
“What?” the tall Eldar said, he wavered where he stood.
“You asked us for our help to rid you of those beasts,” Reaghan reminded them. “It seems she has part of the answer to both our problems.”
“Just… be careful,” Tria requested. “For all your power and training with us, Vishnira is a fully trained druid who has years of experience under her belt.”
“And years of corruption,” Jirao muttered darkly.
“Maybe you should tell me about her,” Reaghan suggested.
“I suppose it’s time,” Tria agreed. “But not here. Unfortunately, between trying to get more information out of the prisoners and getting everyone settled, I don’t have too much time right now to do it justice. Come to my house for dinner in a couple days and I’ll make sure we can talk uninterrupted.”
“We’ll be there,” Twi said.
In response to her new task, Reaghan resumed her training with the other druids. Now that the colonists had somewhat settled, they too joined in. Most worked on their shifting, taking on various cats and wolves from around the galaxy. From Reaghan’s original lion form, she quickly mastered a wolf and small housecat with only a day’s practice.
“It’s like I always tell my students,” her master told her. “Once you get one form, you pick up the others much easier.” He motioned for her to come close. “Remember though, there’ll be a time to shift and a time to not. Every form, even your own, has their strengths and skills.”
“I understand,” Reaghan murmured.
“I know you do,” he replied, then clapped her on the shoulder and went to guide a couple others.
“I think you graduated,” Twi said. “Not that I’m surprised since all you needed to do was to stop worrying about Miraz and what they were doing.”
Reaghan shrugged, her gaze on a pair who were making the ground itself arch and bend without breaking. She knew from her spikes how difficult it was since, unless the ground was wet enough, its instincts were to crumble. “I might have graduated, but I’m not done with school.”
Twi seemed to follow her gaze. “There’s time for that. I know you’ll be shaping it like the best of them in no time.”
Reaghan remained silent. She could feel that time was working against them. Then
again, she’d felt like that for the past couple of months. She wanted this task done so she could move on and discover what it meant to be a traveling druid who had a home to come back to.
“Miss Reaghan.” One of her Essaheli playmates ran up to them. “We’re making a game. Want to play with us?” She tucked one of the balls tight under her arm.
Reaghan smiled. “I’ll be right there, Leesa.
“She said she’d come!” she bellowed to her friends across the field, then ran off.
“Reaghan,” Twi said, sounding like she was trying to be disapproving but couldn’t help the amusement in her voice. “Go, have your fun.”
“Too bad you can’t take holo-you out for a spin and join us.”
“I have things to do on the ship that’ll entertain me enough.”
“Don’t you have minions to help you upkeep?”
“This is special. Even without those books, which I still want to get, I was able to figure a few things out about the ship’s construction. It’s a bit too technical to pile on you with, but I think you’ll be surprised. Anyway, this is fun for me.”
“As long as you enjoy it,” Reaghan said grinning, knowing full well that Twi grew restless without her tinkering to keep her busy. It was a side effect of the amount of curiosity and innovation she’d been programmed with. At least she finally stopped trying to bring Reaghan into it. The other woman had some interest but it didn’t come close to the same level as Twi. “Just don’t get too absorbed, huh?”
“You’re one to talk. You’ll be playing with your new friends until I come and get you.”
“And you’ll be building until I come back.”
“How about a bet? A hundred credits to whoever is right?” Twi proposed.
“Where are you going to get that? I’d just be getting my own money.”
“I have my ways.”
“Somehow, I think I’ll regret it, but okay. You’re on.” She held out her hand, which Twi touched with her tail. That evening, they ended up meeting halfway up the path and called it a draw.
Tria’s home was still in one of the cottages that made up the original outpost. As she stepped inside, Reaghan felt as though she were stepping in the one they had brought her to after the fight. A warm fire heated up the room and the dining room table had been set for four people.
“Who all is expected?” Jirao asked before she could.
“Just us. I figured Twi might like a place of her own, even if she doesn’t eat standard food. Or do you?”
“I sustain myself by absorbing the Eiha that’s all around us.” Twi came to a rest on the table.
“Interesting. Must make it easier since you don’t need to be plugged in to work. Thinking about it, you actually remind me of a toy I used to have when I was younger. It was a bit smaller though.” Tria’s eyes became glassy as she remembered.
“That’s because my shell used to be an automaton toy,” Twi replied. “Dragonfly dancers. Trusted as your child’s first robot—”
“Twi—” Reaghan warned.
“I apologize. Sometimes remembering triggers the advertisement parameters that are still within the body’s programming. This body was a show model.”
“Beyond making her more durable, we haven’t altered her too much,” Reaghan added. “So it leads to… interesting interactions at times.”
“That also explains why sometimes I feel like I’m talking to a school teacher when I talk to her,” Tria mused.
“You get that too?” Twi complained. “Reaghan says it all the time.”
“Sure, you believe me now that someone else mentions it,” Reaghan said over the internal comm.
“You must have a lot of skill if you meshed the two together to make her work,” Tria complimented.
“It was a lot of trial and error on my part. Luckily, Twi’s program and the body were in decent shape and compatible with one another. I did get help to handle the real technical parts though.”
Tria set a roast on the table, along with mashed potatoes and a salad. “Eat, then we’ll get to business.”
They dug in to their respective meals, with the exception of Twi, who waited silently. Everything was delicious, tender, and moist. Reaghan let out a soft sigh, half wishing she could cook anything like what she was eating. Sure, she could replicate it, but after so many fresh meals, she could tell the difference.
“Domestic life is spoiling you,” Twi teased over the internal comm.
“I’m just going to have to suck it up or get a whole new skill set,” Reaghan replied.
“Well, you always say that you are more than your purpose. I’d say that is as far as you can get.”
Tria pushing her plate aside, stopping their silent conversation. “Vishnira was a brilliant druid,” she began, her voice instantly choking. “But like a lot of our young people, she wanted more than our balance between technology and nature. Most are able to get fulfillment by joining up with ships and exploring the galaxy. Some, like us here on Mriaam, fulfill it by terraforming new worlds. Others, like I told you, become obsessed with achieving greatness by using other means.”
“The Void,” Twi murmured.
“The idea of the laws of Eiha being what you created them to be especially appealed to her. If these machine-beasts are from her…” Tria visually shuddered.
“Was she interested in biology or engineering? Anything that could lead her down that road?” Reaghan asked.
Jirao was the one that answered. “She was as far from interested in the practical side of things as possible. Eiha was everything to her. Remember her healing? Even if the wound was minor, she refused to use a bandage or a stitch.”
Tria nodded. “Caution is best if you’re serious about approaching her. Also, a strong interest in growing your own Eiha-based skills is advised. You’ve a good base, but Vishnira has perfected the chase for power. I have some old books that might help, but it’s only a start.”
“I do, but I’ll take all the help I can get.”
“Well, I wish you luck.” Jirao saluted her. “You’re braver than me and I’m not ashamed to admit it. For all her skill, she had a nasty streak a kilometer wide.”
“I kinda got that impression if she’s willing to side with people like Miraz. But we’ll take it as cautious as we can.”
“What do you plan on doing next? I know your time here’s coming to an end,” Tria asked.
Reaghan shrugged. “We’ll be around a few more weeks, I think. But we’ll be doing a bit more traveling while we find a way to get to Vishnira or until she finds us. I’d say we could use the three we have here, but she’s had plenty of time to come and get them and hasn’t.”
“Much to their disappointment,” Jirao muttered, sounding a bit too happy with the fact.
“Anything else for us?” Twi asked.
“Yes,” Tria said. “Desert and a bit of cider. We’ll toast to your safe journey.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Reaghan said, beaming.
An alarm blared somewhere in the depths of the ship. Reaghan opened a bleary eye and stared at the clock. “Twi, why is something freaking out at six in the morning?” she asked, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“I’m not sure; the alarms just started going off.”
“I’m on my way up.” She pulled her clothes on from the night before and stumbled from the room. Every screen on the bridge was aglow, showing a planet that, even in her half-awake state, she recognized as Mriaam. “What are those pockets around it?”
“They’re also in the atmosphere,” Twi said. “Though I think the natural Eiha is interfering with me getting a good reading. As for what they are, you’re looking at the first known detection of a Void passage.”
“What?”
“The signatures match the data I have from the Scavenger’s trip—as limited as that is.”
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“Then how’d we get back to normal space? Because I don’t see how in the stars we’d miss this.” She gestured to the still blaring alarms.
“Sorry,” Twi apologized, and they quieted. “And I don’t know why they didn’t trigger before. Maybe the system wasn’t active for some reason.”
“Is anything else showing up on our sensors?”
“Not yet.”
“This is Aeon calling Mriaam settlement,” Reaghan said over the comm.
“Go ahead, Aeon,” the morning operator replied.
“We’re picking up some… anomalies,” she began, shrugging when Twi gave her a pointed look. “You might want to be on the lookout for more of those machine-beasts coming your way.”
“Understood.”
Twi was still staring at her as she cut the link. “Well, how else do I describe it?”
“How about what it is?” Fresh alarms sounded. They turned in unison toward the screens. “Life signs, about twenty of them. Big ones,” Twi reported.
“Damn it. Well, here we go.” Reaghan stared at the screen, watching them split apart and get into position to assault the village. Another life sign, registering a humanoid, followed the rest. She started to the lower levels.
“What are you doing?”
“You provide backup for the village. I’m stopping that humanoid sign before it causes trouble.”
“Be careful, Reaghan.”
She stepped outside the ship and shed her form for a speedy sparrow. Her bone structure shrank and became lighter, arms folded in and became wings. As soon as she felt the change solidify, she exploded into the air. Her wings pumped rapidly, pushing her higher and higher. She let out a shriek as she broke through the trees, but her target was nowhere in sight. Talons wrapped around her small form and she was carried deeper into the woods. Reaghan forced her form into that of a cat, which caused the hawk’s grip to begin to release. Reaghan yelled as a claw snagged in the newly made fur, the sound coming out as a mixture of a cat howl and bird scream. The hawk released her and she plummeted toward the ground. The limbs that already changed began to retract and morph back into wings. The bones became hollow once more. She was just about to right herself when she was yanked back up.
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